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Barbara Whitman Headshot

Barbara Whitman

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BIO

Whitman is the daughter of investment advisor Martin J. Whitman, namesake of the Martin J. Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University. She has two brothers: James Whitman, a professor at Yale Law School, and Thomas Whitman, a professor of music at Swarthmore College. Her aunt is judge Phyllis W. Beck, who served on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania and was married to the University of Pennsylvania psychiatrist Aaron Beck. Her cousin is psychologist Judith S. Beck, who co-founded the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy.



Whitman attended the Dalton School and graduated from the Elizabeth Seeger School. She attended Bennington College and graduated from New York University's Gallatin School of Individualized Study in 1988 and received an MFA from Columbia University School of the Arts in 2005.

Whitman is a former theater actress who made her Broadway debut producing A Raisin in the Sun (2004). She has won multiple Tony and Drama League Awards for producing Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Fun Home, Red, Angels in America, and The Humans.

In 2021, Whitman endowed the Barbara Whitman Award to support a female, trans or non-binary early-career stage director. She sits on the Board of Governors and the executive committee of the The Broadway League.

Photos

Productions

 
[Broadway, 2022] [Replacement]
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[Broadway, 2019]
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[Broadway, 2018]
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[Broadway, 2017]
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[Broadway, 2017]
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[Broadway, 2017]
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[Broadway, 2016]
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[Broadway, 2016]
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[Broadway, 2016]
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[US Tour, 2015]
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[Broadway, 2015]
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[Broadway, 2014]
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[Broadway, 2014]
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[Broadway, 2014]
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[Off-Broadway, 2013]
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[Broadway, 2013]
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[Broadway, 2010]
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[Broadway, 2009]
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[Broadway, 2009]
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[Broadway, 2009]
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[Broadway, 2009]
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[Broadway, 2007]
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[US Tour, 2006]
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[Broadway, 2005]
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[Broadway, 2004]
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Awards and Nominations


winner
Tony Awards - 2016 - Best Play

Barbara WhitmanThe Humans


winner
Tony Awards - 2015 - Best Musical

Barbara Whitman, Fun Home


winner
Tony Awards - 2014 - Best Revival of a Musical

Barbara Whitman, Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Tony Awards - 2009 - Best Musical

Barbara Whitman, Next to Normal

Tony Awards - 2009 - Best Play

Barbara Whitman, 33 Variations

Tony Awards - 2009 - Best Revival of a Play

Barbara Whitman, Mary Stuart

Tony Awards - 2005 - Best Musical

Barbara Whitman, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Tony Awards - 2005 - Best Musical

Barbara Whitman, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Tony Awards - 2004 - Best Revival of a Play

Barbara Whitman, A Raisin in the Sun

Videos

News


NEXT TO NORMAL Original Broadway Cast Recording 15th Anniversary Edition Out Now
by Stephi Wild - Jun 13, 2025

The 15th Anniversary Edition of the Next to Normal Original Broadway Cast Recording has been released in its first-ever vinyl pressing and on CD, available now.
Theater Mu Names Fran de Leon as Next Artistic Director
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 2, 2025

Theater Mu has chosen Fran de Leon to be its next artistic director, effective as of June 2 with a full transition into the role by the end of 2025. Learn more about De Leon here!
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE Teases NYC Return
by Michael Major - May 13, 2025

Is the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee returning to New York City? A mysterious new website and social media account are teasing a potential new production of thr Tony-winning musical.
CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, NEXT TO NORMAL And More Set for 2025/26 Denver Center Theatre Company Season
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 26, 2025

Denver Center Theatre Company has announced the 2025/26 season for the regional producing theatre arm of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA).
SDCF Reveals Recipient and Finalists for 2025 Barbara Whitman Award
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 22, 2025

Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation revealed the recipient and four finalists for the 2025 Barbara Whitman Award. Learn more about the award here!
Tisch New Theatre To Present Tony Award-Winning Musical FUN HOME
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 15, 2025

NYU's Tisch New Theatre will present Fun Home Off-Broadway at the American Theatre of Actors from April 26th to May 4th, 2025. Welcome to the Fun Home, and be sure to wipe your shoes at the door.
CEILIDH: A NEW MUSICAL to Make North American Premiere in Baltimore This Fall
by Emmy Rice - Apr 4, 2025

Producers Grove Entertainment (Beth Williams, Mindy Rich), Barbara Whitman and Alan Cumming have announced that the new musical Ceilidh, based on one of Scotland’s oldest and most beloved customs, will make its North American premiere in Baltimore, MD this fall.
NEXT TO NORMAL to be Presented at  Spotlight Repertory Theatre in February
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 18, 2025

 Spotlight Repertory Theatre will present Next to Normal, the musical that redefined contemporary theatre, directed by Jacques Stewart. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Applications for 4th Year of 1/52 Project Now Open
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 6, 2025

Tony Award-winning set designer Beowulf Boritt, revealed applications for the fourth year of The 1/52 Project, the financial grant program for early career designers, founded by Boritt and a group of Broadway designers, are now open for the 2025 cycle.
The Ma'ayanot H.S./Black Box Studios Drama Society Will Perform THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
by Stephi Wild - Nov 26, 2024

 The Ma'ayanot Yeshiva High School Drama Society, in ongoing partnership with Black Box Studios, will present THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE this December.
Performers Announced For A TECTONIC CABARET In October
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 27, 2024

Tectonic Theater Project's annual gala A Tectonic Cabaret will take place at Current (Pier 59 Chelsea Piers) starting with a 6:30 PM cocktail hour and performances beginning at 7:30 PM.
Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation Announces Liz Diamond as New SDCF Board President
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 9, 2024

Liz Diamond, Jonathan Parker, and Barbara Whitman have been announced as new members of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) Board of Trustees, bringing their extensive experience to the organization.
Tony Winner Beowulf Boritt's 1/52 Project Reveals Nine Early Career Designer Recipients
by Stephi Wild - Sep 9, 2024

The 1/52 Project, the financial grant program founded by Tony Award-winning set designer Beowulf Boritt, has selected third round of nine early-career designer recipients to benefit from $150,000 in grants.
Video: Cast and Creatives Talk NEXT TO NORMAL at Barrington Stage
by Stephi Wild - Sep 4, 2024

In an all new panel discussion, cast and creative team members talked about Next to Normal, which is now in production at Barrington Stage. The panel delves into the themes of mental health and family dynamics presented in Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt’s musical. Check out the video here!
Beanie Feldstein, Kevin McHale, Noah Galvin to Star in SPELLING BEE at the Kennedy Center
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 29, 2024

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts revealed the complete cast and creative team for the Broadway Center Stage production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. See who is starring!
BWW Q&A: Natalie Joy Johnson on NEXT TO NORMAL at Barrington Stage Company
by Joshua Wright - Aug 21, 2024

We spoke to Natalie Joy Johnson, most recently seen on Broadway in Lempicka about starring in Barrington Stage's Next to Normal, directed by  Artistic Director Alan Paul, in a co-production with Round House Theatre in Washington, DC. 
Photos: Natalie Joy Johnson, Alan H. Green, and More in NEXT TO NORMAL at Barrington Stage Company
by Blair Ingenthron - Aug 18, 2024

Check out production photos for Next to Normal at Barrington Stage Company starring Natalie Joy Johnson, Alan H. Green, and more here!
Listen: NEXT TO NORMAL Cast Recording 15th Anniversary Edition Out Now
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 9, 2024

Celebrate the 15th anniversary of NEXT TO NORMAL with a newly remixed and remastered Original Broadway Cast Recording, featuring updates from composer and album co-producer Tom Kitt. Listen now!
Exclusive: Hear A Reimagined 'You Don't Know' From NEXT TO NORMAL: 15th Anniversary
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 8, 2024

Next to Normal (Original Broadway Cast Recording) [15th Anniversary Edition], will be released in streaming and digital formats on Friday, August 9.
Video: Inside Rehearsals for Barrington Stage's NEXT TO NORMAL Starring Natalie Joy Johnson
by Joshua Wright - Aug 6, 2024

Go inside rehearsals for Barrington Stage's Next to Normal directed by  Artistic Director Alan Paul (August 13-September 8), in a co-production with Round House Theatre in Washington, DC. The production stars Natalie Joy Johnson, most recently seen on Broadway in Lempicka.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Barbara Whitman been nominated for?

Best Play (Tony Awards) for The Humans, Best Musical (Tony Awards) for Fun Home, Best Revival of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Best Musical (Tony Awards) for Next to Normal, Best Play (Tony Awards) for 33 Variations, Best Revival of a Play (Tony Awards) for Mary Stuart, Best Musical (Tony Awards) for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Best Musical (Tony Awards) for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Best Revival of a Play (Tony Awards) for A Raisin in the Sun.

What awards has Barbara Whitman won?

Barbara Whitman has won several Tony Awards, including Best Play for The Humans, Best Musical for Fun Home, and Best Revival of a Musical for Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

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